India begins COVID-19 vaccination drive for all above 18 - See Pics

Amid the continuous surge in COVID-19 cases, six states have managed to conduct the third phase of the vaccination on Saturday (May 1) drive while other states have deferred due to a shortage of COVID-19 vaccine supplies.

Eligible people are required to register on CoWIN portal or the Aarogya Setu app to book an appointment to get the vaccine shot.

Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Odisha are the six states who have announced that they will begin vaccinations for the 18-44 age group on Saturday (May 1).

Three big private hospital chains, Apollo, Fortis and Max, announced the launch of the COVID-19 immunisation drive for the 18-44 age group at limited centres in the country from May 1 while the Delhi government said it will start the vaccination exercise once it receives doses from the manufacturers.

Vaccination will continue to be provided free of cost to the eligible population as defined earlier which include Health Care Workers (HCWs), Front Line Workers (FLWs) and all people above 45 years of age at Government of India (GoI) vaccination centres.

People queue up to receive the dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at a vaccination centre in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

(Photo- PTI)

As the younger population of the nation becomes eligible for a vaccination against coronavirus on May 1 with the start of the third phase of the inoculation drive, the ministry said that more than 79 lakh vaccine doses are still available with the states and union territories to be administered to their population.

A woman getting vaccinated at Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

(Photo- Reuters)

The shortage in vaccines still proves to be an issue as these states have distributed a small number of vaccines to their districts and will not be able to cater to most of the population in their states.

A private security guard stands outside an empty coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination centre after Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued a notice about no vaccinations for three days in Mumbai.

(Photo- PTI)

Maharashtra has received the maximum number of vaccines followed by Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. The highest balance availability of doses is with Uttar Pradesh amounting to 12,10,220 doses.

A woman security guard announces a shortage of vaccines outside a COVID-19 vaccination centre, in Gurugram. (Photo- PTI)